/ ˌɑː lɑː ˈkɑːt; NAmE ˈkɑːrt/ adjective , adverb
(from French ) if food in a restaurant is à la carte , or if you eat à la carte , you choose from a list of dishes that have separate prices, rather than having a complete meal at a fixed price
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WORD ORIGIN
early 19th cent.: French , literally according to the (menu) card .